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Police: Thieves stealing downspouts for scrap metal in East End

PITTSBURGH — Robbers are ripping downspouts off of homes in the East End as a way to earn money quickly by selling the copper, police said.

According to police, there have been more than 25 copper downspouts stolen from homes in Shady Side and Squirrel Hill within the last few months.

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“A lot of the homes around here have copper downspouts and suddenly from June, July, into August there are people running into these homes, shaking the downspout loose and running off with it,” said Cmdr. Dan Herrmann of the Pittsburgh Police.

The downspouts are being taken from homes, businesses and a church.

Police said they plan to use plain clothed officers to track down suspicious activity in the neighborhoods and are urging neighbors to be vigilant as well.

"If you don't think that that contractor's truck should be there, even if it's legitimate, call us, let us know. We'll see if it's legitimate or not,” Herrmann said.